Taylor's late basket helps UT avoid collapse against Baylor

Updated 11:36 pm, Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Texas' Cameron Ridley, who had 20 points and 10 rebounds, powers his way between Baylor's Cory Jefferson (34) and Isaiah Austin.

Texas' Cameron Ridley, who had 20 points and 10 rebounds, powers his way between Baylor's Cory Jefferson (34) and Isaiah Austin.

Photo: Eric Gay, STF

Taylor's late basket helps UT avoid collapse against Baylor

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AUSTIN - At Iowa State last week, Texas showed some cracks. At Kansas, the edges began to crumble. And as things kept slipping away at the Erwin Center on Wednesday night, the Longhorns were on the verge of a full-scale collapse.

But as Isaiah Taylor cut toward the basket with the game on the line, he saw no Baylor Bears waiting with the wrecking ball.

"I was surprised nobody came over," Taylor said.

Taylor's banking, left-handed layup with 47 seconds left not only proved the key play in No. 24 UT's 74-69 victory, it ensured that for the moment, another late-season Longhorns crisis was averted in front of 9,625 fans.

After letting an 18-point first-half lead get whittled to 70-69 in the final minute, UT - which suffered back-to-back losses last week - was bringing back memories of other limps to the finish in recent years.

But Taylor, the freshman point guard who had 13 points, seven assists and six rebounds, gave Texas a three-point edge with his drive. Then center Cameron Ridley, who had 20 points and 10 rebounds, swatted away a shot by Baylor's Kenny Chery at the other end of the floor, essentially ending the Bears' comeback.

"As much progress as we've made this year, we know we can let it get away from us really quick," Holmes said.

The Bears, who had won four games in a row before Wednesday, climbed back into the game largely because of Chery's shooting. With 8:56 left, Baylor had cut its deficit to two points.

But unlike in previous seasons, when such a momentum swing would have been the prelude to a UT disaster, the Longhorns kept their cool.

Holmes scored eight consecutive UT points, including three short jumpers and an acrobatic, up-and-under layup off an offensive rebound. Then Taylor, who shot 1-for-14 at Kansas on Saturday and didn't start well Wednesday, began doing his thing again. He connected on a floater and got to the free-throw line before his big drive.